Damage done one rock at a time

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

September 21, 2011

I cannot imagine that vandals, most likely junior high boys, find enjoyment in destroying Mishawaka's Beutter Park and the River Walk piece by piece. The damage is not so obvious because of the inherent beauty of the surroundings, but it becomes more apparent after several trips between Central Park and the Logan Street bridge on both sides of the river.

To the west of the suspension bridge large boulders have been rolled down the riverbank. To the east the barrier material shows through where rocks had been used for ground cover.

The banks are almost bare where the race returns to the river. Under the Main Street bridge much of the rip rap is missing and likely on the river bottom. Perhaps the worst and most recent damage is the removal by force of expensive landscape stones from the retaining wall south of the river and east of Main. They must weigh 40 pounds; where did they go?

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I, for one, will program the police front desk number into my cell phone and report any instances that I might see. Parents should tape this letter to their refrigerator.

Henry CasimerMishawaka

Praise letter

Michigan 78th District Rep. Sharon Tyler's recent efforts on the Michigan House Agriculture Committee warrants praise from her constituents, especially those of us involved in farming. Farmers are united in wanting to eliminate feral swine, given the potential threats they pose to our crops, livestock and communities. Even with permission to shoot on sight, no one I know is looking forward to an encounter with one of these animals.

But opinions are divided when it comes to sport swine facilities. Putting hunt clubs out of business is not the answer. Tyler, and the hunt club owners under fire, understand that sound regulation is preferable to flat-out prohibition. Farm Bureau knows how vital it is for private business and government to work together toward solutions that allow existing businesses to stay viable, and stay in Michigan, while doing a better job of protecting the environment and our communities.

Instead of eliminating them altogether, these hunt clubs as existing, viable businesses, mind you, should simply be expected to do what is right for the environment and our communities.

Tyler, Republican, has led on this issue by introducing House Bills 4503-4506, now being considered in the Senate. She has passionately advocated for the rights of private property owners and stood behind the existing Michigan businesses that hope to stay in business.

Edward (Ed) KretchmanPresident, Berrien County Farm Bureau

Time of need

On Sunday, Sept. 11, as the country paused to reflect and remember the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that plagued our nation so painfully, I was en route to volunteer at the B100 Birthday Party for my Elkhart Noon Kiwanis service club.

Unfortunately, I ended up getting a flat tire while driving on the bypass and needed to pull over to the side of the road between the Elm Road and Bremen Highway exits. I attempted to replace the damaged tire with my spare, but was struggling to accomplish this successfully when a passerby noticed my trouble and stopped to assist. He had my damaged tire off and my spare tire on in a matter of 10 minutes.

He then went above and beyond and repaired the puncture hole with materials he had in his truck from his experience in working with cars, saving me money in the process. As he was repairing the tire, I noticed the firefighter's uniform in his back seat. He was an off-duty firefighter for Penn Township who had extended his service in the public to grace a complete stranger with help and kindness. God bless those who help others in a time of need -- especially our hardworking firefighters, EMS workers and police officers.